I agree that one building method or material or technology is unlikely going to be the absolute best way for all situations. But the extreme thermal efficiency that is possible in these (at least in Germany) "normal" houses is really astounding. Considering how much power one of today's flat screen TV's consume, much of it going into heat. Imagine trapping that heat and being able to actually provide a comfortable living environment during the winter with that heat. Wow.

It would also be nice not to have to live in a house that looks like the home of a hobbit from Lord of the Rings, or Obi Wan Kenobi's adobe-like home from Star Wars to get that kind of thermal efficiency.